Glucosamine Benefits for Joint Health

Whenever you hear people talking about glucosamine, it's almost always in the context of joint health supplements. Glucosamine is a primary building block found in cartilage, which is the tough tissue that cushions your joints. It is also used by your body to build tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and the thick fluid surrounding the joints.

Because joint health is closely tied to overall well-being, glucosamine, along with other supportive nutrients like chondroitin and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), has become one of the top-selling dietary supplements. A 2007 National Health Interview Survey found that nearly 18% of adults in the United States regularly took dietary supplements, with about 20% of those using glucosamine.¹

What Does Glucosamine Do for Joints?

Glucosamine offers two important benefits for joint health. It serves as a component of cartilage, acting as a natural shock absorber, which protects the body from the everyday stresses of walking, jogging, climbing stairs, and standing. As we age, our cartilage naturally begins to break down and lose flexibility. Supplemental glucosamine can help slow this degeneration. Additionally, glucosamine plays a role in providing essential joint lubrication, enhancing mobility, range of motion, and ease of movement.

Glucosamine supplements are available in several forms, including glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and N-acetyl-glucosamine. These forms have similar joint health benefits and are often combined with other joint-supporting nutrients like chondroitin and MSM. Most people prefer a combination formula that includes all three ingredients.

Most clinical studies supporting the use of glucosamine for joint health have utilized the sulfate form, often derived from shellfish.¹ However, glucosamine sulfate in dietary supplements can also be manufactured in a laboratory.

According to the Mayo Clinic, sufficient evidence exists to encourage people concerned about joint health to consider trying a glucosamine supplement.²

A reputable foundation reviewed the most prominent glucosamine studies to date.³ Here’s what the organization concluded from the available scientific literature:

• Results are mixed, but overall, glucosamine appears to offer support for those concerned about joint health.
• A smaller study from 2012 showed joint health support with the combined use of glucosamine and NSAIDs, with a significant improvement seen with the use of glucosamine alone.
• Regarding protecting the joints against aging effects, a 2008 study examining the histories of 300 patients found that those using a glucosamine supplement underwent half as many joint replacements as those on a placebo.

Glucosamine Benefits Beyond Joint Health

Does glucosamine work for joint health? The evidence largely supports this claim. Many studies and reviews have found solid evidence that glucosamine sulfate can help support joint health, mobility, and flexibility.

For other health concerns like bladder health and jaw health—two other common uses for glucosamine supplements—the evidence is much more mixed.

• Digestion, Bladder, and GI Support
  Some people report that glucosamine can improve overall digestive function and help maintain the lining of the GI tract. Very preliminary studies show that glucosamine, when combined with natural ingredients including sodium hyaluronate, chondroitin sulfate, quercetin, and rutin, may support bladder health and other gastrointestinal concerns.
• Jaw Health
  For those with concerns about jaw health and flexibility, glucosamine has been thought to help with jaw function concerns, but research indicates it may be no more effective than common over-the-counter NSAIDs.
• General Bone Health
  As a side benefit from taking glucosamine for joint health, users also report improvements in bone health and bone density. Increased mobility often accompanies glucosamine supplementation, contributing to healthier, stronger bodies. Evidence also suggests glucosamine can help preserve and support healthy cartilage around bones, providing a protective effect for overall bone health.

Glucosamine Supplements

Supplements containing glucosamine are increasingly popular for supporting healthy, flexible joints and promoting mobility. Glucosamine is often combined with other supplements that support joint health like MSM and chondroitin. Here are a few popular combination supplements for healthy joints:

BubbForest Ultra Glucosamine, Chondroitin & MSM with Hyal-Joint

A four-in-one formula for healthy, flexible joints that delivers glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM plus hyaluronic acid to nourish and lubricate joints and support optimal mobility. This formula features GreenGrown glucosamine, a state-of-the-art formulation derived from corn. This is an excellent option for vegetarians or anyone with seafood allergies, as many other forms of glucosamine are sourced from shellfish.

BubbForest Ultra Joint Care featuring TruFlex

This combination formula features glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate along with MSM, vitamin C, vitamin E, and manganese to promote flexibility, fluid movement, and provide synergistic support.

BubbForest Premium Glucosamine Chondroitin & MSM­ - Higher Strength